There Are Many Benefits When a Conglomerate Gets Involved
After finishing cleaning the men’s bathroom together with Jin Yeoreum and stepping outside, I found Gyeowool teaching something to the children. What could a high school dropout possibly be teaching them?
“Gyeowool?”
“Ah! Teacher Taeyang!”
The moment Gyeowool saw me, she shot up from her seat. A few of the children tried to hold her back, whining “Noona, where are you going?” but she gently pried them off and came trotting over to me.
“Are you finished now?”
One of the children she had shaken off—a boy around seven or eight—stared at me with eyes full of betrayal, as if I had stolen his sweetheart. The poor kid looked deeply wounded.
…It’s not like that, buddy.
“Yeah, it went smoothly thanks to this volunteer helper.”
“Aha! Then, Teacher Taeyang, there’s something I want to show you!”
Without waiting for a reply, Gyeowool grabbed my hand and started pulling me along. I followed with mild curiosity, wondering what this socially awkward girl could possibly want to show me.
We stopped in front of the women’s bathroom. Still holding my hand, she tried to drag me straight inside. I recoiled in horror and planted my feet.
“Hey, Gyeowool! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“I cleaned this place. I cleaned it really well! You can see my face reflected in the toilet bowl! I’m so proud that I was able to do this.”
The same face that never showed pride even when she danced was now glowing with it. It was genuinely heartwarming to see a girl with rock-bottom self-esteem display such confidence.
…But why does it have to be from cleaning a bathroom?
“That’s impressive, but this is the women’s bathroom! How am I supposed to go in there?”
An agency team leader walking into an orphanage women’s restroom. Even I didn’t want to associate with someone like that.
“There’s no one inside. Can’t I show you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“…Hng.”
Jin Yeoreum, who had been watching the whole ridiculous scene from a short distance, spoke up.
“Today’s volunteer schedule is now over. Truthfully, we kept you here longer than you probably expected.”
She gave a polite bow.
“Thank you for your dedication. I hope only good things fill the days ahead for both of you as you continue on your path.”
“Why does that sound like a final goodbye?”
“…Pardon?”
After that hour-long reverse bubble shower incident, I felt like I needed to stick around this place for another three years.
“We’ll come again.”
“…There are many facilities with better amenities and more consideration for volunteers than here. If you return, you’ll likely end up doing labor-intensive volunteer work like cleaning bathrooms again.”
“That actually sounds fine. As you saw today, I’m pretty confident in my cleaning skills.”
“I’m confident too!” Gyeowool declared, thrusting her hand into the air.
Jin Yeoreum looked at us for a moment, then turned her gaze aside and murmured softly.
“I will always be here, protecting this place. …Still, I won’t hold my breath.”
We weren’t expecting that much anyway.
“Well, we’re not exactly the type people pin their hopes on. Still, I’ll make another reservation soon. See you next time. Gyeowool, let’s go.”
“Ah, Teacher Taeyang, wait just a second.”
Gyeowool scampered over to Jin Yeoreum and whispered something. I caught the words.
“What do you think? Teacher Taeyang is a good person, right?”
“…Yes, he does seem like a good person. To the point that I worry whether it’s all right to be like that in today’s world.”
“Hehe, that’s part of Teacher Taeyang’s charm.”
It looked like the two of them had grown close while cleaning the women’s bathroom together, leaving me alone in the men’s. They were even whispering so I wouldn’t overhear. It was honestly surprising how quickly they had bonded, considering Gyeowool’s terrible social skills.
“Then I’ll come again next time!”
After finishing their conversation, Gyeowool returned to my side, waved at Jin Yeoreum, and called out. Jin Yeoreum waved back a bit awkwardly. Then she glanced at me and kept waving.
We left the orphanage with Jin Yeoreum still waving behind us.
As we passed through the front gate, I asked Gyeowool,
“By the way, what exactly were you teaching those kids?”
“Teaching?”
Gyeowool twisted her body shyly.
“…Japanese.”
“Japanese? How do you even know Japanese?”
“Well… it’s a little embarrassing to admit, but after watching so much anime, I eventually reached the point where I could understand it without subtitles. I thought it might be useful someday, so I studied for the JLPT. That’s how I was able to teach them basic conversation.”
“Oh…”
It was a completely unexpected talent. Considering Japan was one of K-pop’s major markets, that ability would definitely come in handy one day.
“You did great. That was really smart to study. If we ever debut in Japan, I might just leave the interviews to you, Gyeowool.”
“Ah, I’m not that good.”
“Then give me a sample. I’ll tell you if it sounds awkward or not.”
Having learned basic English and Japanese in the previous round, I could at least evaluate her level.
Gyeowool glanced at me nervously.
“…Please don’t expect too much.”
Despite her hesitation, Gyeowool’s Japanese was surprisingly fluent.
…If you ignored the fact that she kept referring to herself in the third person and spoke like a character from a shonen manga.
Still, it was more than practical enough.
“You’re better than I expected.”
“Hontou desu ka!”
When I praised her, Gyeowool got excited and started chattering away in Japanese. Her naturally pleasant, clear voice made me think she could have been a voice actress.
As we walked toward the parked car, enjoying Gyeowool’s Japanese performance, someone called out to me.
“Excuse me. Could I have a moment of your time?”
When I turned around, I saw a man in his early thirties wearing a perfectly tailored black suit and sunglasses. He looked like a bodyguard or some kind of agent.
I asked cautiously,
“Who are you?”
The man opened his wallet and pulled out a small business card.
Jin Kang Group
Public Relations Strategy Planning Department
Section Chief Seok Hyeonwu
Seeing the name Jin Kang Group gave me a rough idea of why he was here. I lowered my guard slightly and asked,
“Are you the person who assists Jin Yeoreum?”
“That’s correct. My name is Seok Hyeonwu, and I serve as Miss Jin Yeoreum’s assistant.”
“What business would someone like you have with me?”
I asked the question, but I could already guess what he might say. I expected threats—don’t leak information about Jin Yeoreum to the press, or don’t approach her too aggressively. Since I had no plans to use her for anything, I was prepared to agree to both.
…Frankly, I didn’t want to get involved at all.
Which was why his actual question caught me completely off guard.
“I understand you are the agency’s personnel management team leader. If possible, I would like to request that you scout Miss Jin Yeoreum.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“Before I answer, let me ask one thing. How did you know I was an agency team leader? I don’t recall disclosing my occupation when I applied for the volunteer work.”
If he had run a background check on me, my attitude toward him would change immediately.
“Miss Han Gyeowool over there told me.”
Aigoo, Gyeowool!
“…Was I not supposed to say anything?”
Gyeowool’s face crumpled like she was about to cry. If I scolded her even once, she looked like she would sink to the floor and burst into tears. I spoke as gently as I could.
“It’s not that you shouldn’t have said it, but let’s be more careful next time. Revealing that you work in the entertainment industry in a place like this doesn’t usually lead to anything good.”
Since this volunteer work was partly for show, we would promote it eventually, but any information control needed to be handled through Two Bear to minimize variables.
In any case, it didn’t seem like the man had investigated me. Seok Hyeonwu, apparently deciding my doubts were resolved, pressed for an answer.
“I’m glad the misunderstanding has been cleared up. May I hear your response now?”
Scout Jin Yeoreum?
“I must decline.”
Was I insane? Why would I willingly drink from a poisoned chalice?
“I believe you already understand the reason. It would be best if we remained nothing more than fellow volunteers.”
“I understand your concerns. However, there is no need to feel so burdened. Miss Jin Yeoreum will refuse the scouting offer anyway. I believe Team Leader Sun already knows why.”
My own words had come right back at me. It seemed we shared the exact same thoughts regarding Jin Yeoreum.
“Because she would be hit with overwhelming public backlash.”
An Olympic prospect embroiled in a doping scandal debuting as an idol? In my opinion, it would create an even bigger firestorm than a school violence controversy.
“Exactly. That is why Miss Jin Yeoreum will refuse. She is not the type to chase after fantasies and dreams without considering reality. So please think of this as nothing more than words. There is no burden whatsoever.”
I understood that the risk was nearly nonexistent. If what Seok Hyeonwu said was true, it really was just saying a few words. But even so, something about it still felt off. There was no reason for me to shoulder any risk by getting entangled with Jin Yeoreum. I firmed up my resolve to refuse.
“Even then…”
“In my haste, I forgot to mention this. Should you accept this task, we will provide appropriate compensation.”
Using his smartphone, Seok Hyeonwu explained the amount of compensation. It was a very tempting sum. It was certainly not a small amount of money, but I had no desire to take on danger just for that.
This wasn’t only about me. The success of both Autumn and Gyeowool would be decided by my choices. Even a small risk was something I didn’t want to bear.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to pretend I never heard this offer…”
“In addition, I will connect you with clients who request ordinary people or models in the future. If you have trainees who have not yet debuted, those advertisements could instead build their fame.”
A connection to advertising clients?
“…I know this is rude, but I have to ask. How exactly would you make that happen, Section Chief Seok? That’s not a trivial matter, is it?”
Being a section chief at a large corporation was impressive, but making promises like that seemed impossible.
“Assisting Miss Jin Yeoreum is not a responsibility given to just anyone. Within the company, I am among those who are recognized. As a result, I have established connections with various enterprises through my network.”
Seok Hyeonwu bowed his head at a full ninety degrees.
“I cannot guarantee that those clients will select your trainees as advertising models. However, when meetings occur, I will unconditionally include Team Leader’s children among the options. That much, I can do. This is not a trivial opportunity. Most of the clients I deal with are what people call heavyweights.”
His words carried both desperation and a profound persuasive power.
“Exposure to clients and lack of exposure are entirely different things. And if you seize the opportunity from that exposure, it will absolutely guarantee Team Leader Sun’s success.”
“….”
This guy really knows how to make a persuasive argument, doesn’t he?